Joe Schafer
Joe Schafer
Hello, my name is Joe Schafer and I've been a musician since the age of 13. I started out playing trumpet in middle school band and music has consumed my life ever since! I later taught myself how to play the french horn, mellophone, guitar, bass, and drums. I place a high value on versatility and love a wide range of music, everything from classic rock to metal.
I've worked in the music industry for a number of years before coming to Sweetwater and have an educational background in digital media. That being said, I'm always trying to learn about the latest and greatest gear for my clients. I receive great satisfaction in knowing that the knowledge i've gained throughout my education and experience is able to help my customer's find the right gear for them.
I am very confident that no matter what end of the spectrum you may be, i'll be able to help you with your musical needs! If you have any questions please don't hesitate to give me call, I'm more than happy to help!
As your personal contact here at Sweetwater, please let me know anytime I can offer help or advice.
(800) 222-4700 ext 1393
E-mail Joe-
Education/Certifications:
API, ATC, SSL, RND 5088, Trident, S6L, Dante level 2 certified, college courses in audio and video, and I have a certificate of completion in audio from LCC. I also have worked in the industry for a number of years prior to coming to Sweetwater. On top of all that, I’ve been a musician for most of my life.
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Where are you from originally?
Dimondale, a small town located near Lansing, Michigan.
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What was your occupation before coming to Sweetwater?
I worked at a statewide music store, where I sold guitars, basses, keyboards, drums, lighting, and pro audio equipment.
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Why did you first apply for a job at Sweetwater?
I was ready to reach the "next level" of music professional. Being that I was a customer before becoming a Sales Engineer, I had first hand experience with the Sweetwater difference and knew instantly that I wanted to be a part of this community.
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Technical strengths:
Guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects pedals/processors, drum and cymbal selection, computer recording, songwriting, home studio production, digital converters, microphone/ preamp selection, live sound.
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Gear you own:
Amps
-Kemper Powered Profiling Head
-Two-Rock Bloomfield Drive 100/500 w/ matching 1x12 cab.
-Hi-Tone HT100 DG w/ Eclipse 4x12
-Dr Z Z-Master
-BadCat Hot Cat 30
-Swart AST Master
-Rivera '68 Deluxe Reverb with Stage 2 Mods
-Marshall JVM410H w/ 1960a 4x12
Guitars
-2018 Martin Custom shop 000
-Custom built Strat (lefty strung righty)
-2011 Martin HD-28
-2012 Gibson 50's tribute Les Paul (Honeyburst)
-2013 Gibson Les Paul Traditional (Honeyburst)
-2014 Gretsch Brian Setzer G6120 (Purple)
-2018 Gibson Memphis ES-335 Aquamarine (the last one we ever got!)
-2022 Prototype D'Angelico Deluxe Atlantic with P90s. (Only 50 ever ended up being made for production)
-2022 Yamaha Revstar RSP02T in Crisp Gold
-2022 Yamaha Revstar RSP20X in Rusty Brass Charcoal
-2024 Roncinswall Vapor 7 trans purple burst
Basses:
-2024 MusicMan Stingray 5 single humbucker in Amethyst Sparkle
-2012 Yamaha BB424X
Pedals
-Analogman King of Tone v4 4jack option
-ARC Effects Klone
-Beetronics Octahive
-Beetronics Vezzpa
-BK Butler Tube Driver
-Boss ES8
-Empress Reverb
-Chase Bliss Automatone Preamp MKII
-Chase Bliss/Meris CXM 1978 Reverb
-Chase Bliss Generation Loss v2
-Chase Bliss Reverse mode C Delay
-Chase Bliss Thermae
-Custom audio MC404CAE wah
-Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsies Fuzz
-Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Octavio Fuzz
-Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Signature Fuzz Face
-Electro-Harmonix Big Muff (Vintage '76 Ram's Head)
-Game Changer Audio Plus w/ Wet switch
-Guru Pedals Echosex 2 T7E
-Hermida Zendrive
-Hologram Effects Microcosm
-Horizon Devices Precision Drive
-JHS Muffuletta
-JHS Prestige
-JHS Unicorn V2
-JHS Emperor
-Keeley Bubbletron
-Keeley Hydra (Ariel Posen signature).
-Meris LVX
-Meris MercuryX
-Moog Minifooger delay x2
-Moog Minifooger Tremolo
-Moog Moogerfooger MF104M Delay
-Origin Effects Cali76-TX-L
-Pete Cornish G-2
-Pete Cornish SS-2
-Pigtronix Echolution 2 Ultra Pro
-Pigtronix Philosopher's Twin
-Pigtronix Infinity Looper 2
-Sabbadius Funky Vibe 69
-Skreddy Little Miss Sunshine
-Source Audio Programmable EQ 2
-Strymon BigSky MX Reverb
-Strymon Deco
-Strymon Volante
-TC Electronic 2290p Delay
-TC Electronic Alter Ego X4
-TC Electronic SCF Chorus (original, all analog version)
-TC Electronic Sentry
-T Rex Binson Echorec
-UA Golden Reverberator
-UA Starlight Echo
-Walrus Julianna Chorus
-Walrus Lillian Phaser
-Walrus Luminary V2
-Walrus Meraki
-Walrus Polychrome Flanger
Pedal power:
–Cioks DC7 w/ Cioks 8
-Strymon Zuma
Standalone effects:
-Elektron Analog Heat
Synths/Midi Controllers:
-Ableton Push 3 (standalone mod)
-Moog DFAM
-Moog One 16
-Moog Subsequent 37
-Novation Peak
-Roli Seaboard Rise 49
Wireless:
-Shure GLXD pedal
-Shure PSM300
Drums
-DW Collector's Maple 7 piece in Broken Glass (10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 24 w/ matching 14x5 snare)
Snares
-Ludwig LM402 Supraphonic 6.5" x 14"
-Ludwig LB415 Black Beauty 6.5" x 14" 8-lug
-Sonor Benny Greb 2.0 Beech 5.75" x 13"
Cymbals
-HHX 15" Accelerator hi-hats
-HHX 17" Evolution crash
-HHX 18" Ozone crash
-HHX 19" Evolution crash
-HH 18" Vanguard crash
-HH 20" Vanguard crash/ride
-Meinl 21" Byzance Transition Ride
Accessories
-GruvX Xclick (GRVXCL-NS)
-LP LP150 Tambourine
-LP LP204C-MC "More" Cowbell
Kick Pedal:
-DW 8000 double pedals
Throne
-Roc n Soc
Interface
-Apollo X16 (2 units)
-Apollo Twin Quad
DSP:
-UA Octo Satellite thunderbolt
Monitors
-Amphion One18 with AMP500 on Isoacoustic IsoPucks for decoupling
-Focal Alpha 65 Evo
Console
-Audient ASP4816-HE
In the rack
-AEA RPQ2
-2 BAE 1073WPS channel strips
-Vintech 473
-API 3124V
-API 2500+
-UA LA2A
-UA 6176
-UA 1176
-UA 710
-Flock Patch
Mics
-AEA R84
-AEA N22
-Mojave MA-100SP
-Mojave MA-200
-Mojave MA-201Fet
-Lauten Clarion x2
-Lauten LA120 pair
-Royer R121 x2
-SE Vbeat (x3)
-SE Vkick
-Shure SM57 (multiple)
-Shure Beta58
-Sennheiser E609
-Shure SM7b
-AKG D12VR
-EV 408 (multiple)
Personal Mixing setup:
Behringer P16i
Behringer P16D
Behringer P16M
PA
-Bose F1 system
My rooms are treated with a mixture of homemade mineral fiber panels, Auralex LNRD bass traps, T'Fusors, studio foam, and Primeacoustic GoTraps.
Video/Camera gear:
-Canon Eos 80D
-Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8
-Rokinon 14mm f/2.8
-Rokinon 85mm f/1.4
-Marshall CV605
-Obsbot Tiny 3
-GoPro Hero 7 black
-BlackMagic Atem Extreme (SDI) -
Other stuff we should know about you (hobbies, talents, interests, etc.):
I am an avid video gamer. When I'm not working or making music I'm playing on one of my consoles or my custom PC. I also have gotten into the art of barbecue and enjoy making food for my family and friends!
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Personal motto:
"Teamwork makes the dream work"
Interview with Joe...
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Great Job, Great price, Great Service! My sales Engineer Joe Schafer is the BEST. He kept me informed about my purchase and sent me my gallery pictures of my new Bass. Your techs that checked my bass are great and the shipping was fast!
Gregory from Central Islip, NY
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I’ve been buying from Sweetwater for close to 10 years now. I have never, I mean never, been disappointed with the products or quality of service. Joe Schafer doesn’t feel like just my gear guy. He feels like a friend at this point. He just helped me pick out my dream guitar (Martin 000-18). Will be a customer for years to come because of Joe.
Jamie from Berkeley, CA
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Joe is the bomb.com in my book
Groovy from Sardis, MS
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As always, Sweetwater and specifically my guy Joe Schafer were outstanding. The speed of the order, not to mention the wonderful price, and Joe's customer care are UNMATCHED. Joe keeps me updated every step of the way, answers any questions I may have and does so thoroughly and with a tremendous attitude. He's gone above and beyond anything I've ever experienced before, ESPECIALLY with online shopping. I buy gear and accessories exclusively from Sweetwater because of the customer service. Shopping with Sweetwater, you get the product selection of some of the bigger guitar chains, but the care and friendliness of your local guitar shop. Considering a relocation from Buffalo to Fort Wayne just so I can shop at Sweetwater meet these awesome employees!
Joe from Buffalo, NY
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I like Joe. When he speaks to you, he understands you are a musician and you are not buying a blender. He was very patient and comes across as a person who cares. For some of us, buying an instrument is a dream come true and for me he was a dream maker. Don't let this one go!
Nicholas from Brooklyn, NY
